Chapter 89 089 "Have fun."
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The following day, the world's number one darts.
On the martial arts arena.
"The martial arts tournament is drawing to a close. It is the presence of all these heroes that has brought great honor to my humble abode, the World's Number One Darts..."
Yuan Wenkang, the master of Xuanwu Hall, the number one镖师 (bodyguard/escort) in the world, stood on the martial arts arena and spoke loudly to the heroes below. His voice was normally very ordinary, but with his profound internal strength, he conveyed every word to everyone in the arena. The depth of his internal strength was astonishing.
"Right now, the Jin army is in power, and the people are suffering. The martial arts tournament has never been about determining a martial arts leader or competing for superiority. Its purpose is to make friends all over the world and unite the north and south to resist the Jin. This is what the old head镖师 has always believed in..." Master Yuan paused abruptly, then took a half step back without making a sound, stepping behind the young man in an assisting manner. "This is what the newly succeeded head镖师 of the number one镖师 in the world wants to see, and it is also the vision he hopes for."
The young man standing before Yuan Wenkang, the head of the Xuanwu Hall, was none other than Zhao Xiao, the newly appointed chief镖师 (chief镖师) of the world's number one镖师 (bodyguard/escort), and also the chivalrous hero who stood to the end in this martial arts tournament.
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire audience fell silent for a moment before erupting into a wave of cheers that nearly shook the building!
Most people admire strength, especially those in the martial arts world, who believe in letting fists decide the outcome. The old镖头 (head镖师, a term referring to a powerful and influential镖师 in the martial arts world) was so renowned that even with his infamous reputation, the mention of the number one镖师 still evoked images of a once-powerful hero. Now, with the sudden appearance of a new successor, the public showed little interest in this unfamiliar young man assuming the position of chief镖师. However, after this martial arts tournament, it's likely that Zhao Xiao, the new chief镖师 of the number one镖师 in the world, will soon be known throughout the land.
Zhao Xiao basked in the thunderous cheers of the crowd, a slight smile playing on his lips. He glanced at the strange woman on the martial arts arena and high platform, sitting in the seat that originally belonged to He Yong, the leader of the Azure Dragon Hall, holding a guqin and wearing a veil. His expression was arrogant.
Xuanwu Hall Master Yuan Wenkang waited until the cheers subsided before saying, "The martial arts tournament has been successfully completed, and we should invite everyone to a three-day feast! However..."
At this point, a nanny led a young woman into the martial arts arena and walked to the side of the Xuanwu Hall Master.
Small algae.
Below the martial arts arena, Jiang Ling'er, disguised as a young swordsman, saw the woman's eyebrows twitch and instinctively wanted to step forward. However, she immediately pursed her lips, forced herself to stay rooted to the spot, and clenched her fists tightly.
Noticing the unusual behavior of the person beside him, Pei Xuan, who was also disguised as a foreigner, glanced at Jiang Ling'er, lingering for a moment on her tightly clenched hands, and said softly:
"know?"
Jiang Ling'er did not respond, but stared at Yuan Zao, who stood obediently beside Yuan Wenkang like a puppet, without saying a word, her brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a mosquito.
"What follows are all my personal reasons, and I hope you will all understand and grant my request. This is my only daughter, Yuan Zao. She is my only daughter and I am very worried about her. I am taking advantage of this martial arts tournament to find a husband for her. I, Yuan Wenkang, hereby promise that whoever becomes the son-in-law of my Xuanwu Hall will be the next leader of the Xuanwu Hall!"
The "Number One Escort Agency Under Heaven" comprises the Azure Dragon Hall, White Tiger Hall, Vermilion Bird Hall, and Black Tortoise Hall, each with numerous branch offices of varying sizes, its influence extending across almost the entire Song Dynasty. Unlike ordinary martial arts sects, those who entrust their goods to the "Number One Escort Agency Under Heaven" come not only from all walks of life, from commoners to high-ranking officials. The plaque bearing the name "Number One Escort Agency Under Heaven" was personally inscribed and bestowed by the current Emperor.
If one becomes the son-in-law of Xuanwu Hall, one will undoubtedly possess prestige, wealth, and even power!
As soon as Yuan Wenkang finished speaking, a deafening roar of cheers erupted from the audience, the cheers lasting for a long time, and the focus of the topic—
Like a delicate yet wooden doll, the young girl, supported by her nanny, obediently followed Yuan Wenkang up the platform and back to her original seat amidst the scrutinizing or greedy gazes and cheers of the crowd, as if it were none of her business, quietly watching the farce unfolding below.
She was completely different from Yuan Zao, who had cried and begged her to leave that day.
Jiang Ling'er's brows furrowed even more, and she bit her lower lip tightly.
Even without Yuan Wenkang's offer of the position of Xuanwu Hall Master, Yuan Zao was charming and lovely. The moment she appeared, Jiang Ling'er, with her sharp eyes, noticed that Gan Zishi, the prickly Lingxiao disciple, was the first to blush. Not to mention Yuan Zao's powerful family background.
But the thunderous cheers from the crowd quickly subsided, because of Zhao Xiao.
Zhao Xiao had been standing in the martial arts arena ever since Yuan Wenkang finished speaking, as if he never intended to come down. His intentions were... self-evident.
Looking at Yuan Wenkang's expression on the high platform, there was no change in his expression, which clearly indicated that he knew in advance or even tacitly approved it.
The jubilant crowd gradually came to their senses. They had all witnessed how Zhao Xiao, the young and number one镖师 (bodyguard/escort) in the world, had acted fiercely and ruthlessly in the martial arts arena these past few days. For a moment, the entire place was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
No one dared to go on stage.
Jiang Ling'er's brows furrowed deeply, but she was completely unaware of it, and she bit her lower lip even harder.
After waiting for quite a while, someone finally came up on stage; they were disciples of the Xuanwu Hall.
Jiang Ling'er remembers him.
This was the little kid who used to follow behind her, Yuan Zao, and Zhao Xiao when they were young, calling them "Senior Brother, Second Senior Sister, Third Senior Sister, wait for me!" He had gone on a few long-distance escort missions, and now he had grown up so much in the blink of an eye. At this moment, he was being trampled under Zhao Xiao's feet.
In an instant, the memory of being suppressed by Zhao Xiao once again flooded her mind. Her nails dug deep into her flesh, and Jiang Ling'er's face turned pale, faintly bluish.
The boy begged for mercy: "Big...Senior Brother..."
Zhao Xiao glanced at him, leaned down, and spoke to him in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"You should call me Chief Escort."
In the boy's stunned and incredulous gaze, a kick landed in his stomach, sending him crashing off the stage!
It was no different from the way he kicked Wen Chengan, Gan Zishi and others down; it was an extremely humiliating move.
Upon seeing this, Yuan Wenkang on the stage frowned, clearly displeased, but ultimately said nothing.
Gan Zishi, sitting in the audience, was indignant, but was subdued by a single glance from Wen Cheng'an, and could only glare angrily at Zhao Xiao from below the stage.
Seeing that Zhao Xiao was not only ruthless towards outsiders but also towards his own people, the crowd fell silent, exchanging hushed glances, and no one dared to go on stage.
Watching the boy who used to follow her around, calling her "Young Master" and "Second Senior Sister," being carried away into the distance, the memories of being beaten down by Zhao Xiao, and the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort leader) with his shoulder blade pierced and bound in the dungeon kept flashing through her mind...
Jiang Ling'er took a deep breath, feeling a heavy, bloody smell rushing through her chest and internal organs.
Suddenly, a warm breeze whispered in my ear: "Scared?"
Jiang Ling'er paused, her long eyelashes blinking.
Pei Xuan leaned slightly closer to her ear, following her gaze to the long trail of blood remaining on the ground, and nodded thoughtfully.
"It is a bit scary, and it's understandable that you're afraid."
Jiang Ling'er's breath hitched, and she abruptly turned her head to glare at him:
I'll say it again, I'm not afraid of him!
Without warning, soft, cool lips brushed against his cheek. The young Taoist was startled, his long, thick eyelashes trembled, as if he had been frozen in place.
Those around them immediately turned to look, glaring at the two of them: "Shh!"
Jiang Ling'er: "..."
Jiang Ling'er gritted her teeth and could only turn her head away, suppressing her anger.
The young Taoist priest paused for a long time, his fingers tapped, he gently rubbed his cheek, and smiled silently.
On the high platform, Yuan Wenkang's brows furrowed into a deep frown. He knew Zhao Xiao was young and impetuous, eager to establish his authority. Although he disapproved of his actions, he glanced around at the silent arena and waited for a long time until he knew no one dared to step onto the stage again. He sighed deeply, stood up, and took Yuan Zao's hand beside him. Yuan Zao vaguely knew what Yuan Wenkang was about to say, and her usually calm face suddenly paled, making her appear even more frail.
With his profound inner strength, Yuan Wenkang's voice resonated in the ears of everyone in the audience:
"In that case, I will..."
"Wait a minute."
Suddenly, a youthful voice, somewhere between a boy and a young man, rang out. It wasn't very loud, but it was enough to attract attention in the quiet martial arts arena.
Everyone looked up at the sound, including those on the high platform.
Yuan Zao noticed that the young foreign swordsman who had spoken up below the stage paused, looking somewhat bewildered.
Ji Yunshu, the young master of Sun and Moon Fortress who had been sitting in a round chair with one hand supporting his chin and showing little interest, frowned slightly, almost imperceptibly, the moment he heard the sound and saw the foreign youth with a long cloth covering his face in the martial arts arena.
Zhao Xiao saw that it was a thin young man, and seeing that he was a foreigner, he immediately sneered.
Yuan Wenkang was also surprised to see such a thin and frail boy, but he quickly recovered from his surprise and said gently:
"Please invite this young man to come up on stage and speak."
The rustling and pointing noises from the crowd grew louder, and Jiang Ling'er knew without a doubt that they were saying she was overestimating herself.
She pursed her lips and was about to go on stage when a voice suddenly came from behind her.
"Wait a minute."
Pei Xuan called out to her.
Jiang Ling'er paused, initially not wanting to pay him any attention, thinking the young Taoist was about to spout some nonsense again.
Should we tell her to be sensible and back down, or should we let her come back and not reveal her identity?
After all, her identity was sensitive; in the eyes of the world, she was already dead. They had infiltrated the most powerful escort agency with a specific purpose, and possessed the coveted Longevity Formula; they should have been even more discreet. Pei Xuan's concerns were understandable. However…
She simply couldn't bear to see Yuan Zao marry someone like Zhao Xiao.
Even if Pei Xuan tried to stop her... he couldn't stop her.
Xiao Zao is her sister; she can't possibly stay out of it and stand idly by.
Jiang Ling'er thought for a moment, then turned to the side, lowered her voice, and gave him a fierce look:
"what?"
Unexpectedly, Pei Xuan suddenly stepped forward, took off his veil and placed it on her forehead, uttering four simple words:
"have fun."
After speaking, he pulled up the cloth covering his face, covering half of his face below his high nose bridge, revealing only his smiling phoenix eyes looking at her.
Jiang Ling'er was stunned.
Jiang Ling'er, who had prepared a whole speech, choked back a few words, laughed, took a deep breath, turned around, and leaped onto the stage!
Standing in the martial arts arena.
Standing before Zhao Xiao, his former and present nemesis.
Staring into Zhao Xiao's arrogant eyes, he spoke each word clearly:
"I am not very talented, please, Chief Escort, or Headmaster, do not hesitate to teach me."
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